Springtime brings warm weather, blossoming flowers… and a long list of household to-dos.
While you’re already thinking of clearing the clutter and starting on those home improvement projects, now is also the perfect time to start thinking about maintenance for your home’s HVAC, plumbing, solar and generator systems.
In this blog, we’ll discuss:
- Why spring is the perfect time for home maintenance
- What is included in a spring maintenance visit
- How home service contractors charge for maintenance
Want to learn more about the maintenance services we offer? Call (909) 792-2222 or contact us online today.
Why spring is the perfect time for home maintenance
The main reason why you should get home maintenance in spring is because it will prepare your home for the demands of summer.
You see, during the hot summer months we put extra strain on home appliances (such as our air conditioner) and use more electricity compared to other times of the year. Getting maintenance before summer ensures your home’s HVAC, generator, solar and plumbing systems will operate at their highest efficiency, which ultimately improves your overall comfort and reduces energy costs.
The extra demands of summer can also turn small problems into expensive repairs. During a maintenance visit, a professional can address these issues before they become serious and lead to equipment malfunctions or a breakdown. (Trust us—nobody wants to be stuck without running water, power or a working air conditioner in the middle of southern California summer!)
Now that you know why spring is the ideal time for home maintenance, let’s look at what’s actually included in a typical maintenance visit.
What is included in a spring maintenance visit
Most home service contractors have a list of tasks a technician needs to complete during an HVAC, plumbing, solar and/or generator maintenance visit. To give you an idea of what to expect during each of these visits, we’ll share the maintenance/inspection checklists for each of the home services we offer:
Our HVAC combined maintenance checklist
- Test A/C system operation
- Check for signs of A/C leaks
- Clean condenser coils
- Check refrigerant operating pressure
- Test compressor contactor
- Test capacitor and relay
- Test furnace system operation
- Check for gas leaks in the furnace
- Clean and adjust burners
- Check heat exchanger for cracks or defects
- Visually inspect flue, vent, and cap
- Check voltage / amperage
- Check blower assembly
- Lubricate components as required
- Wash / Replace filters as required*
- Inspect duct work and check airflow
- Check thermostat operation/program and replace AA/AAA batteries as required
- Check / Clear condensate line as required
- Test safety controls
- Inspect all wiring and connections
- Check temperature splits/rise
- Test operation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
*filters sold separately
Learn more about our HVAC maintenance program by visiting our HVAC maintenance service page.
Our electrical inspection checklist
- Check for safety and code compliance
- Inspect breaker panel
- Inspection of infrared temperature at the breaker panel
- Inspect circuit breakers, wiring, connections, and grounding
- Tighten electrical panel connections
- Check for open junction boxes and exposed wiring
- Check GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)
- Check receptacle outlets and switches
- Check interior lighting
- Check exhaust fans
- Confirm proper HVAC fuse/breaker size
- Check doorbell and address light operation
- Check exterior lighting, receptacles, and equipment
- Give efficiency recommendations
Our plumbing maintenance checklist
- Drain and flush water heater
- Check water pressure and adjust as needed
- Check for leaks and visible signs of corrosion
- Clean & clear bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators
- Clear drains and p-traps
- Inspect all plumbing fixtures for proper operation (sinks, toilets, showers, etc.)
- Perform earthquake safety inspection
- Check emergency shut off valves for proper function
- Perform dye tests and leak inspections for all toilets and bathroom sinks
- Check hose bibs for leaks and proper function
- Perform shower test and inspection
- Check kitchen sink, faucet and water supply for leaks and proper function
- Check for gas leaks at water heater
- Clean air intake screens for tankless water heaters (when applicable)
- Check for proper drain cleanouts
- Visually inspect water heater flue, vent and cap
- Check water heater error code history (if possible)
- Test elements in electric water heaters for proper function
Our solar maintenance checklist
- Clean panels
- Test wires
- Tighten terminals and connections in inverter
- Inspect accessible connections on panels
- Inspect roof penetrations
- Check connections behind panels using heat cameras
- Check connections and voltage in all junction boxes
- Measure kilowatt production at time of service
Our generator maintenance checklist
- Change engine oil
- Replace air and oil filters
- Check for oil or fuel leaks
- Replace spark plugs
- Ensure proper spark gap
- Inspect spark plug connectors
- Check battery water level (top off if needed)
- Clean battery terminal
- Check generator voltage
- Dispose of hazardous waste in accordance with EPA regulations
- Run generator and check for proper operation
- Simulate power outage to ensure generator is fully operational
How home service contractors charge for maintenance
Most home service contractors charge for maintenance in two ways:
- A one-time maintenance visit for a single home service (HVAC, plumbing, solar, generator, or electrical). The cost of a one-time maintenance visit starts from $149 to $399 per home service.
- A yearly maintenance program. Some contractors offer nnual maintenance programs for specific home services. For your membership you can pay a monthly fee starting at approximately $20 (the price varies depending on the contractor and the type of home service).
- A combined annual maintenance plan. Burgeson's offers a yearly plan for scheduled HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services known as the Burgeson's Preferred Bundle. Peace of mind and savings all in one
In general, having a maintenance program is a better investment than paying for a single, standalone maintenance visit. The reason? Most contractors offer exclusive benefits to program members that can lead to long-term savings.
For example, our maintenance program customers receive benefits such as:
- Waived diagnostic charges if something goes wrong with equipment
- 15% discount on repairs
- Waived after-hours and holiday service fees
- Loyalty credit towards new equipment
- And more
Ready to schedule your spring home maintenance?
Whether you need HVAC, plumbing, electrical, solar or generator service—we can help. When you hire Burgeson’s for your home maintenance, you can count on us to go the extra mile to ensure your systems operate safely and efficiently
Learn more about our home maintenance services by visiting our HVAC maintenance service page.
Related reading
- How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? A Californian Pro Explains
- Why Is My Outside AC Unit Frozen? A Tech From Southern California Explains
- Why Is My Water Bill So High? A Plumber In Southern California Explains
- How Much Does it Cost to Install a Whole-House Generator in Southern California?
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